The sudden death of a player is "devastating" for a program, says OSU coach Mike Riley, who went through it two years ago with the passing of defensive tackle Fred Thompson.Associated Press

CORVALLIS -- Mike Riley says there's no strategy on how to deal with the sudden death of a player, and while he might not have any words of advice for UCLA coach Jim Mora, he can certainly empathize with the situation.

Tragedy struck the UCLA football program this week when Bruins receiver Nick Pasquale was hit by a car and killed early Sunday morning. As news of Pasquale's death spread, it undoubtedly brought back memories for Riley and his staff.

Almost two years ago, OSU defensive tackle Fred Thompson was playing pick-up basketball at the student rec center on campus when he had a heart attack. His death rocked the program, and players spoke last year of dedicating the season to their fallen teammate. Riley said he heard from coaches all over the country in the aftermath of Thompson's death, as people reached out through emails, calls and cards to express their condolences. But no one called Riley and told him how to deal with it.

"I don't have any (advice for Mora). That situation is so unique. We've sent things down there to him."

Earlier in the week on the Pac-12 coaches' conference call, Riley said that no matter how much you prepare to lead a program as you work to become a head coach, certain events, like the death of a player, "are devastating."

"You don't take kids on just as football players," Riley said. "They become part of your family. When something like (death) happens in a program, what happened to us a couple years ago, you dread it. It just rocks you on your heels."